The FIRE movement centers around the idea that financial independence and early retirement can be attained by living frugally both prior to and during retirement. You could even add additional sources of income – such as side work or rental properties – to supplement your savings plan.
Start saving 15% of your income, and use tax-advantaged retirement accounts such as 401(k)s and IRAs to maximize tax advantages.
Investing
If your goal is financial independence, make savings one of your top priorities. Automated savings accounts or high yield savings accounts may be good ways to start. Saving for emergencies should also be prioritized: unexpected expenses can quickly derail efforts toward financial independence.
The FIRE movement (Financial Independence, Retire Early) is a well-known trend encouraging individuals to save aggressively and retire well before the standard retirement age of 65. This strategy has proven particularly popular among millennials; people reaching financial independence in their 40s or 30s is becoming more prevalent than ever. To reach financial independence early, you’ll need investments which provide enough passive income to cover living expenses; one simple formula for this calculation would be multiplying annual expenses by 25 and then saving until your savings plus investment earnings surpass this number – or use an estimation method such as multiplying annual expenses times 25 to arrive at this goal!
Savings
Saving is key to financial independence; with enough savings put aside for retirement years, saving could allow you to avoid working for money while in your golden years.
To do this, it’s essential that you set aside a significant portion of your income in savings accounts, money market accounts or Certificates of Deposit (CDs). Furthermore, take advantage of tax-advantaged programs like 401(k)s or Individual Retirement Account (IRA) contributions as tax breaks to your savings efforts.
Reducing expenses is another effective way to increase savings. Doing this may mean limiting how much you spend on non-essentials such as dining out and movies. Other strategies may include living in a smaller home or purchasing used items; you might even seek professional guidance for assistance on your journey towards financial independence in a timely fashion.
Taxes
Those striving for financial independence must take steps to reduce expenses. This may mean moving to a cheaper area, buying used cars rather than new ones and dining out less frequently. You should also focus on paying down debt using the snowball method, where you make minimum payments on all debt before prioritizing smaller balances for elimination first.
Before retiring, it’s wise to create an ideal lifestyle plan and determine how you plan to spend your time. Perhaps travel or starting a business could add additional revenue streams – something to keep in mind as your set your retirement lifestyle budget.
Social Security
Financial independence gives you the ability to say “yes” when opportunities or life experiences present themselves, while still permitting you to say no if something doesn’t align with your goals or values.
Social Security provides most Americans during retirement with a reliable income that doesn’t fluctuate based on investment risk or market fluctuations. Furthermore, its inflation adjustment ensures that beneficiaries won’t fall into poverty in old age.
Embarking on a journey towards financial independence means being frugal, investing wisely, and cutting expenses – among other tactics. Seek financial advice and learn about money management as you travel the path toward independence. No matter which path you take to get there, Ameris Bank is there to support your success – our banking experts specialize in serving the unique needs of communities like yours while offering personalized banking experiences tailored specifically for each of them.
